Bahá’ís commemorate 11 holy days each year. These occasions are often observed with community gatherings in large or small settings, open to all, with programmes befitting the significance of the day. The Bahá’í day runs from sunset till sunset.
Holy Days
HOLY DAYS and significant dates - 2024 (181 B.E)
20 March - Naw Rúz (1 Bahá, 181 B.E.)
The Bahá’í New Year.
20 April - First Day of Ridván (13 Jalál)
Ridván means 'Paradise' in Arabic. It is the most important of the Bahá’í holy days. It is the day on which Bahá’u’lláh declared His mission as a Manifestation of God.
28 April - Ninth Day of Ridván (2 Jamál)
The day on which Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined Him in the Garden of Ridván.
1 May - Twelfth Day of Ridván (5 Jamál)
The day on which Bahá’u’lláh and His family left the garden to travel to Constantinople.
23 May - Declaration of the Báb (8 ‘Aẓamat, about 2 hours after sunset)
Commemorated at about two hours after sunset on 23 May.
The anniversary of the Báb’s announcement of His mission in 1844.
28 May - Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (13 ‘Aẓamat, 4am)
Marking the passing of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892.
9 July - Martyrdom of the Báb (17 Raḥmat, about 1pm)
Marking The Báb's execution in 1850.
2 November - Birth of the Báb (19 Mashiyyat)
3 November - Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (1 Qudrat)
The Bahá’í Holy Days are set according to a solar calendar commencing with the Spring Equinox. However the Holy Days marking the birth days of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are set according to a lunar calculation.
25 November - Day of the Covenant (4 Qawl) *
Commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the One to whom His followers should turn after His passing.
27 November - Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (6 Qawl, 1am)*
Commemorating the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1921.
*Bahá’ís suspend work on all but the last two of these holy days.
2025 (182 B.E.)
25-28 February - Ayyám-i-Há
Also known as the Intercalary Days, Ayyám-i-Há is a period of celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual period of fasting.
01-19 March - The Month of Fasting
The fasting month begins after Ayyám-i-Há, at sunset on 28 February 2025, and ends at Naw-Rúz 182 B.E. (sunset on 19 March 2024)
During this month, Bahá’ís from the age of 15 abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. There are exemptions, including for those who are ill, elderly, traveling, pregnant or nursing.